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LOCAL NEWS ARCHIVE - APRIL 2002
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Local News Page]
Next Saturday, May 4th, will see the holding of the annual Cornafean Drag Hunt in the locality. The Drag Hunt will commence at 3.00pm and it represents a welcome return of this event to the local sporting calendar after the cancellation of last year’s Drag Hunt. Of course, the event was cancelled in 2001, due to the precautions implemented following the outbreaks of foot and mouth disease last Spring. Further information on Saturday’s event can be obtained from Peadar McSeain, Monery.
The Cornafean Walking Club, Sli na Slainte Cor na Feinne, has been holding regular walks on every Monday evenings and these have proved very successful with over 20 members attending each week. These walks will continue on a weekly basis over the Summer months and everyone is welcome to take part. The one-hour walks leave McSeains at 8.00pm each Monday evening.
The Cornafean footballers recorded a narrow win over Corlough last Saturday evening in the Lakeside Manor Division 3 League. Both sides travelled to the unusual venue of Aughawillan, Co. Leitrim to play the fixture. The change of venue was made necessary by the fact that Corlough’s home ground was unavailable.
As it was, the Aughawillan pitch itself turned out to be barely playable with both teams struggling to cope with the grim underfoot conditions for the entire hour, with large pools of water lying on several areas of the field. As one might expect, scores were extremely hard to come by and Cornafean had to work hard in the first half to lead 0-4 to 0-3 at the interval.
Corlough took control of t game for much of the second half and looked set for victory when they led by a point as the game entered its closing stages. With five minutes left on the clock, Cornafean manager Phil Cullen reshuffled the Cornafean team with several positional changes and substitutions. The changes worked wonders as Cornafean recorded three points without reply in those last five minutes to run out winners by 0-8 to 0-6. Top scorers for Cornafean were Art McSeain and Sean Martin with three points each and the other scores came from Val Sheridan and Ciaran McSeain.
Next weekend Cornafean have a busy schedule with no less than two Division 3 games provisionally fixed for the weekend. On Friday evening, Butlersbridge visit Pairc Naoimh Fionnain for a much-anticipated fixture which was postponed a fortnight ago due to Cornafean’s involvement in the All Ireland Scór finals in Killarney. Butlersbridge have always proved a handful for Cornafean teams over the years and the locals will need to improve on their recent performances to preserve their unbeaten record in this year’s league.
The Cornafean lads will face another stiff challenge on Sunday when they face another of the Division’s leading teams, Drumalee. No doubt this game will bring back fresh memories of last summer’s championship clash between the sides when Drumalee emerged victorious in a closely-fought game.
While the Cornafean players and officials will be doing their very best to secure the league points in both games, it is worth remarking on the unsatisfactory situation where teams are being asked to play two games within 48 hours. Apart from the obvious questions of fairness and equity in the running of this year’s league, such odd scheduling does little to promote the reputation of the competition in the eyes of the public and also exposes players to unnecessary risks of fatigue-related injuries.
As the Cornafean v ‘Bridge game was postponed due to Cornafean’s participation in the All Ireland Scor final, it now seems a little strange that the club and its players are effectively penalised for their success in the GAA’s much-treasured cultural competition. Ultimately one has to question whether any of this inconvenience is necessary, given the fact that the league is already halfway towards completion, despite the 2002 playing season still being little more than a month old.
Congratulations to Sharon Mulligan, Corr who celebrated her 21st birthday with a party in McSeain’s on Saturday night last.
There will be a meeting in McSeains on next Thursday night, 2nd May, in order to organise the forthcoming Community Games competitions in the locality. All parents and others who are interested in helping out are asked to attend.
Last Sunday night, 28th April was National Census Night and householders in the locality are asked to complete the census forms as soon as possible as the local enumerators will be calling to each house in the area in the coming days in order to collect the completed forms.
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| Michael McGibney |
On Saturday afternoon last, Cornafean’s Michael McGibney produced a five-star performance in the Recitation competition at All Ireland Scór finals in Killarney, Co. Kerry but was pipped for first place by the Leinster champion, Patrick S. Moran from Donaghmore/Ashbourne, Co. Meath. This was Michael’s first apperance in a national Scór final and a total of forty local supporters made the 400-mile round trip to the famed Gleneagle venue to cheer him on. The standard in the Recitation competition was extremely high, with one previous All Ireland winner among the four contestants, and the adjudicators obviously had a difficult task in selecting a winner. Michael can be extremely proud of his achievement in reaching this year’s final and no doubt he will be back competing once again next year.
The entire Cornafean contingent thoroughly enjoyed their weekend away in Ireland’s tourist capital and despite the many hours spent on the road over the weekend, a large group of supporters assembled in Cornafean on Sunday night where Cornafean GAA club made a special presentation to mark his achievement in reaching the final.
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| Lady's View, Killarney |
Cavan’s other representatives in the Scór finals, the McGovern family from Templeport also did their county proud in Killarney with a stirring performance in the Instrumental Music category, but the honours on this occasion went to the Galway champions Corofin. A very pleasing aspect of the weekend for the Cavan competitors was the number of Scór enthusiasts from other clubs in the county who made the long journey to the Kingdom to support them. A wonderful sign indeed of the spirit and camradarie that exists among the Scór community in Cavan.
Finally, we congratulate our neighbours and friends in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim on their mighty achievement in winning both the Novelty Act and Question Time competitions. A special word of congratulations must go to Seán O’Suilleabháin, who achieved a rare double by winning All Ireland medals in two separate categories on the one night. The O’Suilleabháin family have an unparalleled record of success at All Ireland Scór and their continuing excellence in Scór shows the rest of us just what can be achieved with the right balance of talent, commitment and dedication.
There was deep sadness in the locality last week on the death at her residence last Thursday, 18th April, of Mrs. Mary Josephine McNamee, Marahill. Mrs. McNamee, who was in her 91st year was a native of Cammagh, Ballinamuck, Co. Longford and came to reside in Marahill with her late husband Peter in the mid 1930’s.
She was a lady in every sense of the word and she endeared herself to all who came in contact with her by her warm, sincere and friendly manner and personality. A person of strong Christian values, her kindness and generosity knew no bounds.
She enjoyed good health until a few weeks before her death and she was a regular and enthusiastic patron at Bingo in Ballinagh, Arva and Carrigallen until recently. There were large attendances at the Removal of her remains to St Patrick’s Church Drumcor on Friday and at the Funeral Mass on Saturday, with burial in the adjoining cemetery.
Sincere sympathy is extended to her sons Frank, (Dublin), Padraig (Marahill), Peter (Mullingar), Michael (Drogheda), daughters Geraldine (Mullingar) Mrs Brid Dolan (Killeshandra), Mrs Moira Chamberlain (Florida), Mrs Nancy Gately (Dublin), Mrs Cathy Brady (Mullingar) and Mrs Margaret McDonald (London), her brother James Reynolds (Newtownforbes) and other relatives.
Cornafean GAA Club are holding their members’ monthly meeting in the clubrooms on next Wednesday night, 1st May at 9.30pm. All members are asked to attend.
The Cornafean footballers travel to Corlough on Saturday evening next to play the locals in the Lakeside Manor Division 3 League. The throw in is at 7.15pm. The Cornafean lads will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten record in this year’s league but they will need to produce a big improvement on their recent displays to overcome the challenge of the West Cavan
side.
The Cornafean Vintage Ploughing Association are holding an Irish Night in Cathal Brady’s, Ashe Street, Cavan on next Tuesday night, 30th April. A bus will leave McSeain’s at 9.30pm. A great night’s craic agus ceol is guaranteed. All support will be greatly appreciated.
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Next weekend a number of local supporters will be making the long pilgrimage to Killarney Co. Kerry to support Cornafean’s Michael McGibney in the All Ireland Scór finals. Michael will be making his debut at All Ireland level after his dramatic victory in the Recitation category at the Ulster Scór finals in Silverbridge, Co. Armagh last month. We wish Michael every success on this occasion and also send our best wishes to Cavan’s other representatives, the McGovern family, Templeport, who will be competing in the Instrumental Music category. The finals will be held at the famous Gleneagles Exhibition Centre just outside the picturesque Co. Kerry town and it promises to be a wonderful occasion.
Last weekend was a busy one for GAA fans in the locality with Cornafean in action against Maghera on Saturday evening last in the Lakeside Manor Division 3 and, of course, Cavan’s meeting with Roscommon in the National Football League semi-final on Sunday. Cornafean had to be content with a share of the league points after an indifferent display against the Maghera men, with the final Scóreline reading Cornafean 0-11 Maghera 1-8. After a poor first half, Cornafean trailed by 1-3 to 0-2 at the break. The Cornafean lads recovered well in the second half, and went ahead for a time before surrendering their lead again amid a strong Maghera revival in the closing stages. In the end, a late point from Art McSeain was enough to salvage the league points for the Reds after the break and there was very little between the teams in the tension-packed closing stages.
On Sunday afternoon, the locality was all but deserted as football fans made the journey to Mullingar for Cavan’s appearance in the League Semi-Final against Roscommon There was great joy for the Breffni followers when Cavan produced a sparkling display to sweep aside the challenge of the Westerners and no doubt Cavan’s appearance in the National League Final on next Sunday week will be a mouthwatering prospect for Breffni fans everywhere.
As a result of Cornafean’s involvement in the All Ireland Scor finals in Killarney, there will be no football game next weekend.
Cornafean GAA Club are holding an Irish Night in McSeains on next Sunday night. All proceeds are in aid of the Sports Hall project and a great night’s craic agus ceol is guaranteed. All support will be greatly appreciated.
The newly formed Cornafean Walking Club are holding organised walks, lasting one hour, every Monday evening from 15th April onwards. The walks leave McSeains at 8.00pm each Monday night and everyone is welcome to join in the fun. A total of twenty-one walkers took part in the first such walk on last Monday night and no doubt interest will continue to increase in this worthwhile pursuit as the summer evenings get longer and brighter.
Congratualtions to the following boys and girls who were all winners in the recent Community Games Art Competition in the Arva/Cornafean/Killeshandra parish area.
Girls Under 8 1st Avril Reilly 2nd Ciara Hamilton 3rd Laura Tighe Under 10 1st Sarah Ellis 2nd Bronagh Fleming 3rd Emma Finlay Under 12 1st Connie Connery 2nd Celine Reilly 3rd Aoife Maguire Under 14 1st Elizabeth Doonan 2nd Lisa Bennett 3rd Amanda Harkness
Boys Under 8 1st Oisin Ward 2nd Daniel Rooney 3rd Cian O’Hanlon Under 10 1st Padraig Reilly 2nd Brian Ellis 3rd Cian Sweeney Under 12 1st Anthony Reilly 2nd Thomas Kenny 3rd Padraig Barry Under 14 1st Andrew Wilson 2nd Declan McManus 3rd Keith Morrison
Has someone close to you died? Cruse Bereavement Care - free and confidential - offers a listening ear. There are trained counselors ready and willing to give the time and care needed. Phone 049 43 72999 on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays from 10.00am to 1.00 pm. Messages left on the answering machine outside these hours will be attended to on the following day. There are counseling services in Cavan, Clones, Ballinamore and Monaghan.
On
Monday night next, 15th April, Kilmore Cathedral Hall will be the
venue for an attractive Country and Gospel Show featuring the top TV and radio
recording artistes Curtis Magee and Elaine Wood, along with the popular comedian
Gary Wilson, who will be compere for the night. Tickets cost €7 each. The
concert starts at 8.00pm and all proceeds are in aid of the Cathedral
Restoration Fund.
On
Sunday afternoon last, the Cornafean senior footballers were in action against
Killeshandra in the Lakeside Manor Division 3 League. There was a bumper
attendance in Devlin Park, Killeshandra for the game, which was played in ideal
conditions on a bright sunny afternoon. The Cornafean lads produced a strong
display in a tightly-fought game to win by 0-7 to 0-5. As the score suggests,
there was very little between the sides at any stage during the game and scores
were few and far between. It took Cornafean all of twenty minutes to open their
account in the first half, until Rory Geoghegan produced a wonderful point after
a solo run. Killeshandra led by 0-4 to 0-2 at half time but a tenacious
defensive display by Cornafean in the second half restricted the home side to a
single point. With ten minutes remaining, a point from Sean Martin put Cornafean
back on level terms and late points from Art McSeain and Val Sheridan sealed a
precious victory for Cornafean.
On
next Saturday afternoon, Cornafean travel to Maghera to play the locals in the
next round of the league. The Meath-border team have made life difficult for
Cornafean on several occasions in recent years, notably in a Junior Championship
clash in Breffni Park in July 1999, when a strong Maghera team surprised the
locals to win by a point. Cornafean will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten
run in this year’s League on Saturday and an exciting game is anticipated.
There
was deep sadness in the locality last week on the news of the death of Mr. Jim
McAleese, Boghall, Oristown, Kells, Co. Meath and formerly of Cloggy House,
Cornafean. A native of Dublin, Jim came to live in Cloggy in the early 1970’s
during which time he worked as a teacher and career guidance counsellor in
Loreto College, Cavan. He was well known for his role in the Cornafean “Tops
of the Town” shows during the 1970’s and he was organist in Coronea Church
for many years. He had a great interest in hunting and in all aspects of nature
and country life. A man of great literary ability and intellect, he was a noted
author of several books. His most famous work, “The Kilbeggan Cure” has been
a popular favourite with many people in the locality since its publication. Jim
taught in the Headfort Preparatory School in Kells before coming to teach in
Loreto and he later returned to Kells, where he taught in the local Christian
Brothers School. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Jill, sons Simon and
Thady and other relatives.
A
branch of Foroige, the national youth development organization, has recently
been re-established in Cornafean. Foroige caters for young people aged between
12 and 18 years. Weekly meetings are held in the GAA Clubrooms each Friday night
at 8.30pm and new members are very welcome to join in the fun. For further
details, contact Donna Harwood, Annagh at 4337861.
A
Whist Drive will be held in Cornafean on Monday night next, 15th
April, with all proceeds in aid of the Lourdes Invalid Fund. All support towards
this worthy cause will be greatly appreciated.
There was deep sadness in the locality on the news of the recent death in Chicago, USA, of Mrs Marge O'Reilly, wife of Frank O'Reilly, formerly of Marahill. The deceased, who was a native of the USA, and her husband, regularly visitied their relatives and friends in the local area over the years and indeed had planned to come again next August for a family wedding. Deepest sympathy is extended to her sister-in-law Mrs Nancy Brady, Mullahoran, brothers-in-law Tommy and John O'Reilly, Arva and to her other relatives.
Cornafean Walking Club will be holding a meeting for members on April 7 at 9pm in McSeain’s. New members are welcome to attend. The Club held a very enjoyable walk on the recent Bank Holiday Monday on March 18th and will be planning some further walking outings in the near future.
Cornafean had Templeport as visitors in Pairc Naoimh Fionnain on Saturday afternoon last in the Division 3 League and put together a good display to win out by 3-5 to 0-10. The Cornafean goals came from Rory Geoghegan and Cathal Sheridan in the first half and from Thanasie Kaldanis just after half-time. This is Cornafean's second win from two outings in this year's league - an encouraging start after the team's poor form last year.
The team's next outing is a much-anticipated league game against Killeshandra next Sunday . This game will no doubt brinf back memories of last year's Intermediate Championship playoff between the sides, which Cornafean won by 2-8 to 0-12. On Sunday, Killeshandra will be aiming to avenge that defeat and Cornafean will need to show big improvements throughout the field to match their challenge. This attractive derby match will be expected to draw a huge crowd to Devlin Park, Killeshandra and the throw-in is fixed for 3.00pm
A Reunion of past pupils of Drumcor National School will take place on Friday August 23rd next. The committee are anxious to hear from past pupils and friends of the school. They would be most grateful to receive any memorabilia, photographs, stories, songs etc. For further details, contact Fr. Eugene Clarke PP, Drumcor (049 4331755), Michael Goldrick (049 4337888) Teresa O’Reilly (049 4332959) or Sylvia Moran (049 4332187)
